Novel biodegradable nanocomposite hydrogels based on biopolymers and various montmorillonite contents as high-strength coating membranes for efficient slow-release fertilizers

Preparation and characterization of hydrogels based on glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)‐grafted NR and modified cassava starch as eco‐friendly materials for sustainable agriculture

“…At intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days, the buried samples were carefully retrieved, washed with distilled water, and dried at 50 C until a constant weight was achieved. 22 The biodegradability of the hydrogel films was determined by weight loss of the specimens. The weight loss of the samples was calculated using Equation (3).…”

“…Generally, hydrophilic polymers play a crucial role in improving water absorption and modifying the physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of polymers. 36 To enhance the swelling capabilities of starch-based hydrogels, the modification of starch with highly hydrophilic monomers like AA 20,21 and AM 22,37 is necessary, given their popularity in enhancing hydrogel water absorption. This study aims to explore the suitability of AA or AM monomers for grafting onto CSt, optimizing Initially, sulfate anion radicals (SO4•-) generated by APS abstract H atoms from the OH groups on the CSt backbones, leading to the creation of CSt macroradicals (CSt-O•).…”

“…In our CSt/NR system, NR was employed to enhance the flexibility of the CSt-based hydrogel. 5,[20][21][22] To improve NR's compatibility with other polar polymers, it is frequently modified by grafting with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), resulting in NR-g-GMA (NRG), a technique commonly employed in various research. 17,23,24 GMA is a polar monomer with polar characteristics that can participate in several chemical reactions, such as hydrolysis with a strong base like KOH, resulting in the ring opening of its epoxy group, increasing its polarity and hydrophilicity.…”

“…25 Also, it has been found that the most frequently employed monomers to graft with starch are acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM), having hydroxy (-OH) and amide functionality (-CONH 2 -), respectively, for improving the hydrogel swelling properties. 22,[24][25][26] Furthermore, while GMA is typically grafted onto NR (NRG) or blended with other polymers as a compatibilizer, only a few studies have reported the synthesis of hydrogels using NRG and CSt. 17,24,25,27 Thus, this study aims to develop new CSt/NR-based hydrogels through three simultaneous strategies (enhanced compatibility, suitable grafted polymers, and reduced components) to enhance water swelling, compatibility, and reduce production costs for potential use as eco-friendly coating membranes for slow-release fertilizer.…”

Improved Soil Amendment by Integrating Metal Complexes and Biodegradable Complexing Agents in Superabsorbents

“…[ 12 , 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Additionally, they can be used in agriculture and horticulture because they can help reduce irrigation water consumption and the death rate of plants, improve fertilizer retention in soil, and increase plant growth rate [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. In addition to water absorption and retention, they have many advantages over con-ventional biochars, such as sustained supply of nutrients to plants for a longer period of time, thus increasing the phosphate fertilizer efficiency and decreasing the applica-tion frequency.…”